The starting question
When does the clock start, and which events must happen before the next step can begin?
For your own project
Which part do you need help with?
Start with what you know. Keep the undecided details open for discussion.
You bring
An idea, a rough sketch or an example of the problem.
We can help explore
Possible shapes, features and a clearer concept to discuss.
Discuss next
What must it do, and which questions matter most?
Define the start and finish
Ask whether lead time starts at order acceptance, payment, released files or material availability. Define whether the end means ready to ship, shipment or arrival. Record the revision, quantity and deliverables covered by the answer.
Keep a requested deadline separate from a supplier-confirmed commitment. This checklist does not predict ProtoChat availability or replace a quote.
Separate duration from dependency
List material supply, programming, setup, machining, outside processing, inspection and documentation as relevant to the actual job. Ask which steps wait for another step and which can overlap. Record queue, transport, holidays and customer approvals separately.
For an invented example, three sequential phases of 2, 3 and 1 working days sum to 6 working days. If the first two genuinely start together and the final phase waits for both, the same phase durations give max(2, 3) +1 =4 working days before any omitted delays. This is dependency arithmetic, not a promised schedule.
Leave missing information open
Our inherited TPM lead-time tool labels its material, complexity, quantity and documentation factors as illustrative. Those factors are not imported as verified supplier lead times or industry requirements.
Ask the supplier what happens after a revision change, unavailable material, inspection hold or delayed approval. Record the basis and date of the answer; do not fill an unknown phase with a generic default and present the total as confirmed.
Bring this to the review
Your working checklist
Use these prompts to record open questions. Checking a box does not approve a design or manufacturing process. Selections last for this page visit.
Planning guidance and illustrative examples. Confirm project-specific requirements with the responsible design, manufacturing and quality teams.
No paid placement or affiliate links in this guide.